Nanotechnology In Dentistry

Nanomaterials are those materials with componentsless than 100 nm in at least one dimension includingclusters of atoms grains less than 100 nm in sizefibers that are less than 100 nm diameter films lessthan 100 nm in thickness nanoholes and compositesthat are a combination of these. The compositioncan be any combination of naturally occurring elements.Because nanoparticles have significant surfaceeffects size effects and quantum effectsnanocomposites usually exhibit much better performanceproperties than traditional materials. Theimproved relevant properties include enhancedtoughness stiffness improved transparency increasedscratch abrasion solvent and heat resistanceand decreased gas permeability. In additionnanoparticles have special properties includingchemical optical magnetic and electro-opticalproperties which differ from those of either individualmolecules or bulk species. These significantproperties of nanoparticles meet the intriguingdemand to design multifunctional nanocompositefilms which cover properties of both inorganic andorganic materials and exhibit immense prospectsfor developing light-emitting diodes nonlinear opticaldevices resistors sensors electrically conductivefilms and gas separation membranes. In the field of periodontics Nanotechnonlogy has been used primarily to disrupt the biofilm in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity as local drug delivery agentsbone replacement materialsin photodynamic therapyas scaffolds in tissue engineering and in dental implants and the results were promising when compared to conventional therapies.